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J. B. WITHEY.

Running Gear for Carriages.

Patented Jany 29,1868.

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TO WHOM IT MAY GONGERN:

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Letters Patent No. 73,941, dated January 28, 1868.

"IMPROVEMENT IN RUNNING-GEAR FOB. OARRIAGES.

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Be it known that I, JEROME B. WITHEY, of Lexington, in the county of Sanilac, and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Running-Gears for Carriages and Wagons; and Ido hereby declare that the following is a true and accurate description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, and making a part of this specification.

The advantages of my improvement are as follows:

First. In using the ordinary wooden wheel, but without a box in the hub, the hole in the hub being fitted with a solid iron bar,.held firmly in its placehy the nut at the end of the hub. By this means I secure a much stronger and more durable-hub.

Second. It is never necessary to remove the wheel for the purpose of oiling, the journals being oiled in the ordinary way through a hole in the upper side .of thejournal-boxes.

Third. The journals are perfectly protected from all dirt or grit, and consequently will outlast any runninggear constructed in the ordinary way.

Fourth. My invention will cause a carriage to run silently, there being nothing about it that can rattle or clatter. i

' Fifth. It will be less liableto-get out of order, and, in case of accident, more readily repaired than the ordinary runninggcar. I

Sixth. The readjustment of the wheels is greatly facilitated by the ease with which the boxes may be set in any position.

Seventh. With his wheels ready made, timbers bent, and. spindles or journals-and boxes prepared, almost any man can in a fewhours put together his own running-gear. V

Eighth. The weight being thrown upon the main journals at the hub, the same supporting power is secured, by the use of at least one-quarter less weight of timber than in the ordinary way.

Ninth. It can be built at less than one-half the cost of the ordinary running-gear.

Tenth. It will be elegant in appearance, easily painted, and easily washed when required, and much more easily handled by the team, I

Having thus set forth the benefits, or at least some of them, which I think will arise from the use of my invention, I will now describe its manufacture, so that those skilled in the art can make it, especial reference being had to the drawings.

A are wrought spindles or journal-slmftgvhich are driven into and fitted into the hubs B, and are held firmly in place by a suitable collar on the inner end of the hub, and by thenuts C on the end of the shaft A.

D are proper boxes, in which run the journals of the shaft A. E is a light bar, of wood or iron, forming one half of a circle, near the ends of which, and on the under side, are placed the boxes D, secured by proper bolts. E is a light bar connecting the ends of the half circle E, andpossessing sufficient strength to support the weight brought upon it by the supporting bar G, which runs from E to I and to which is attached the box in which runs the inner end of theshai't A. H is alight bar connecting-E and F, completing the framework for the forward wheels. I-is a light bar, of wood or iron, bent at the end, so as to form a convenient resting-place for the outsidebox for the hind wheel. J is the reach, the after part heipg split, and the arms diverging in a curve, and connected with the bar I at the ends. The forward end is attached to the bar H by a proper bolt, thus making a reach as well as a portion of the framework forthe hind wheels. K is a light bar, supporting the small or inner end of'the shafts A of the hind wheels. L is a plate of iron, fitted to the upper side of the circle E, and projecting over tlie inside edgeof the circle, coupling itwith the reach J, by means of a simple dog, M, the lip'or flange of the dog passing underthe projecting edge of the plate L, thus forming a simple, and neat, and effective coupling. N arelight draught-rods, drawing straight from the wheel. By this arrangement the weight and strain of draught are removed: from the centre of an axle, as in ordinary carriages, and applied directly near the hub. The poleor shafts for the horse or horses should be attached to the inside of the circle E, near the ends, and just forward of the boxes I). i

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination and arrangement of a running-gear,for carriages, as'hereinbei'ore described, when constructed with the wrought spindle or journal-shaft A, the hub B, a collar and nut C, boxes D, bars E, F, G, H, I, and K, reach J, plate L, dog M, and draught-rods N, when put together and operating 'substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

JEROME B. WITHEY.

Witnesses:

H. J'. HANNAMAN, JAMES LAIDLAU. 

